Homemade Healthy Granola Bars

This recipe is a hit with kids and adults. Kids may easily mistake them as a cookie, but they are wholesome and filling. Best of all they are easy to make, and kids can participate!

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Homemade Granola Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned oats)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (can do a little less)
• 1/3 cup wheat bran or wheat germ (wheat bran has more protein)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (optional, but makes them have a nice texture)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (optional)
• 1 tablespoon flax oil (optional)
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
  
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat bran/germ, cinnamon, flours, and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil, applesauce, flax oil, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well using  a large spoon or your hands. Stir in the raisins and chocolate chips (if adding)
3.  Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.